NOW SOLD
War Office Original WD BSA deep tool box for M20 M21 M33 motorcycles.
This tool box belongs to a friend. He has now sold his WD M20 and his WD CO Royal Enfield. This was one of the spares left over.
Some history regarding the alterations to the tool boxes.
The War Office, or War Department, issued motorcycle tool boxes varied in the early years. In 1936 / 1937, prewar BSA’s had a triangular pressed steel tool box on both sides of the motorcycle. They are very similar to the Ariel WNG and Royal Enfield WD CO because they were made by the same contractor.
In 1939, the triangular-shaped tool boxes were replaced by a single “oval” shaped tool box that was fitted to the left side, close to the gearbox. This oval shaped tool box was issued to civilian BSA M20’s, Dutch Army WM21’s and impressed M20’s.
The War Office obviously decided that the design didn’t have sufficient volume to hold all of the necessary items. So, they commissioned a deeper version. This original WD BSA deep tool box for M20 M21 M33 motorcycles is one of the War Office versions as it is deeper than the civilian version.
The War Office also kept changing the closure knob / lock. The early versions of the original WD BSA deep tool box for M20 had an integrated lock and was for the machines under the WD contracts: A9764, C3139 and C3655.
This tool box is from a slightly later variation. In the last few months of 1939, the War Department tweaked the design again. They kept the deep tool box, removed the lock and introduced a threaded rod to the knob. The significant difference was a small cable that was fixed to the lower bar (inside) and stopped the lid from touching the exhaust when opened. If you look at the bar, you will see the hole for the cable.
Towards the end of 1940, a different knob was introduced.
So, I think we can deduce that this original WD BSA deep tool box for M20 etc, was for the War Office motorcycles in 1939 / 40 with the following contract numbers: C7287, C5610 and C6654.
Condition of the War Office Original WD BSA deep tool box for M20
Well there’s no way to dress this up… It’s good until you open it. Moisture has sat in the base and has rotted lower parts on the lid and the main box. The hinge is past any real use too. “Why is it so much then?” I hear you ask.
Well, it’s an original, repairable, tool box. You can buy a new one, but that’s cheating. 🙂
Other WD motorcycle parts
Occasionally, I have some War Office, WD, British motorcycle parts available. If I have any, they are on the WD 1939-1945 page.
Buyer notes for the original WD BSA deep tool box for M20
Shipping is charged ON TOP of the price for the item. There are too many variables to include shipping in the checkout, so please contact me before you buy and I will give you a shipping price.
I usually ship to most destinations.
International shipping available. Let me know where you are and I will send you a price for shipping with tracking
Combined shipping available.Â
Viewing:Â Please come and check it over before you buy. It is at PE28, near St Ives in Cambridgeshire.
Collection: If you don’t want it shipped, I have plenty of space. If you can’t collect for a while, it’s not a problem. However, I will need to be paid very soon after the sale. Thanks.
Payment: Good old fashioned money on collection is preferred. I can accept payment through PayPal or by bank transfer as well. I can accept EUROS. Please ask.Â
Import Taxes: Please note that IMPORT DUTIES are not something I can control. If you are buying from outside the UK, there is a chance that you will have to pay import taxes. Import taxes vary from country to country. If there are charges to pay, it is the buyer’s responsibility to research the cost and pay the duties. The price that you see on my advert is for the item and not the item plus whatever taxes might be due.
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